GFB HONORS GRAND CHAMPION LIVESTOCK WINNERS
Georgia Farm Bureau treated the grand champions from Georgia Junior National livestock
shows in October 2013 and February 2014 to a prime rib dinner and presented them with
commemorative belt buckles during the GFB Evening of Grand
Champions on March 28 at the GFB home office in Macon.
GFB Young Farmer Chairman Matthew London of White
County served as master of ceremonies during the Evening of
Grand Champions, welcoming the winners, their families and
advisors. The event featured remarks from UGA College of
Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Dean Scott Angle,
Georgia Agricultural Education Program Manager Chip
Bridges, State 4-H Leader Arch Smith and GFB President Zippy
Duvall. Attendees were also shown stories from “The Georgia
Farm Monitor” about the two shows.
Duvall encouraged the grand champions to embrace their roles as leaders of their peers,
highlighting key aspects of leadership.
“If you take your passion for what you believe to make things happen in your life and your
community, you will make a difference. And when you do that, you not only will be successful,
but you’ll be happy,” Duvall said.
Bridges and Smith presented Duvall with a framed collection of pictures of the grand
champions, which Duvall said would be hung on the GFB wall of champions at the GFB home
office.
The Grand Champions were: Decatur County 4-Her Bo Bailey, who won the Grand Champion
Market Steer Award at the 2014 Georgia Junior National Livestock Show; Colquitt County FFA
member Lakyn Davis who won the Grand Champion Breeding Heifer Award at the 2014
Georgia Junior National Livestock Show; Morgan County 4-Her Ben Porter, who won the Grand
Champion Breeding Ewe Award at the 2014 Georgia Junior National Livestock Show; Houston
County 4-Her Abbi Rainwater, who won the Grand Champion Market Barrow at the 2014
Georgia Junior National Livestock Show; Worth County FFA member Chase Roberts, who won
the Grand Champion Market Goat Wether Award during the 2013 State 4-H & FFA Market Goat
Show; Pickens County 4-Her Mason Sims, who won the Grand Champion Market Lamb Award
during the 2013 State 4-H & FFA Market Lamb Show; Jeff Davis County 4-Her Chanleigh
Underwood, who won the Grand Champion Market Gilt Award at the 2014 Georgia Junior
National Livestock Show and Houston County FFA member Jacie Babb, who won the Grand
Champion Commercial Dairy Heifer Award at the 2014 Georgia Junior National Livestock
Show.
Each champion’s parents and FFA advisor or Extension agent were also presented with John
C. Maxwell’s book, “Leadership.”

Leadership Alert page 2 of 8
BASICS OF FARM BILL DAIRY AND LIVESTOCK PROGRAMS
Dairy and beef producers learned key points about the dairy and livestock provisions in the
2014 farm bill during an informational meeting hosted by Georgia Farm Bureau on March 24.
The meeting featured presentations by UGA experts on all of
the farm billâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s titles. Dr. Tommie Shepherd covered the dairy
provisions and Dr. Curt Lacy reviewed livestock provisions.
The billâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dairy provisions renewed the Dairy Promotion &
Research Program, the Dairy Indemnity Program and the Dairy
Forward Pricing Program and added Dairy Producer Margin
Protection and the Dairy Product Donation Program.
The bill, signed into law by President Obama in February,
eliminated the Dairy Price Support Program, the Dairy Export
Incentive Program, Federal Milk Marketing order (FMMO)
Review Commission and the Milk Income Loss Coverage
(MILC).
The Dairy Margin Protection Program (DMPP) is a revenue
Shepherd
insurance-style instrument based on the margin between the all
milk price (the national average price per hundredweight received for all milk sold in the U.S.)
and average feed costs. Payments will be triggered when that margin falls below $4 for two
consecutive months. There is no premium for producers who enroll at the $4 margin level, and
producers have the option of paying progressively higher premiums for higher margins up to $8.
There premiums increase after the first 4 million pounds of milk produced in a calendar year.
All U.S. dairy operations are eligible. There is an annual administrative fee of $100 and
DMPP cannot be used in conjunction with the Livestock Gross Margin Program.
The Dairy Product Donation program will be triggered when the margin between the all milk
price and feed costs falls below $4 for two consecutive months. The USDA will purchase
manufactured dairy products for three months or until margins exceed $4, and the purchased
product will be donated to food banks or feeding programs. The program will be suspended if
U.S. prices exceed international prices by more than five percent.
UGA Extension Livestock Economist Curt Lacy reviewed the livestock provisions of the farm
bill, noting that funding for the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP), the Livestock
Indemnity Program (LIP) and the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farmraised Fish (ELAP) were restored and funded retroactively to Oct. 1, 2011. The programs are
administered through the Farm Service Agency, and total of payments under the disaster
programs cannot exceed $125,000 per person or entity.
Under LFP, payments are available for eligible livestock producers who suffered grazing
losses due to drought or fire. Determinations are made using county data from the U.S. Drought
Monitor.
Producers making claims under LFB will need documentation on the number of livestock
affected and verification of control over affected grazing acreage.
Under LIP, producers can receive payments for livestock loss through predation by animals
reintroduced into the wild by the federal government or protected by federal law, or those lost to
adverse weather events like hurricanes, floods, blizzards, wildfires or extreme heat or cold.
For more information on farm bill dairy and livestock programs, contact your local FSA office
or visit http://tinyurl.com/plbfatd.
Video of the GFB farm bill meeting can be viewed at http://www.gfb.org/farmbill.

Leadership Alert page 3 of 8
PEANUT PRODUCERS TO VOTE ON RESEARCH AND PROMOTION PROGRAM
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will conduct a referendum April 7-18 for eligible U.S.
peanut producers. Producers will vote on whether to continue the Peanut Promotion, Research,
and Information Program.
Growers who have produced peanuts and
paid assessments from Jan. 1, 2013 through
Dec. 31, 2013, are eligible to vote. If a simple
majority of eligible producers vote in favor,
the program will continue.
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service
(AMS) will conduct the referendum by mail
ballot. Ballots and voting instructions will be
mailed to all known eligible producers by
April 7, 2014. Eligible producers who do not
receive a ballot, have questions or need
additional information may contact the referendum agent, Jeanette Palmer, by e-mail at
Jeanette.Palmer@ams.usda.gov, by telephone either toll free 888-720-9917 or 202-720-9915, or
by U.S. mail at Promotion and Economics Division, Fruit and Vegetable Program, Agricultural
Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W. Room
1406-S, Stop 0244, Washington, D.C. 20250-0244.
Visit http://www.regulations.gov for more information.
Research and promotion programs are industry-funded, were authorized by Congress, and date
back to 1966. Since then, Congress has authorized the establishment of 20 research and
promotion boards.
FSA LOAN PROGRAMS MODIFIED UNDER NEW FARM BILL
The 2014 farm bill expands lending opportunities for thousands of farmers and ranchers to
begin and continue operations, including greater flexibility in determining eligibility, raising loan
limits, and emphasizing beginning and socially disadvantaged producers, according to a USDA
press release.
Changes that take effect immediately include:
• Elimination of loan term limits for guaranteed operating loans.
• Modification of the definition of beginning farmer, using the average farm size for the
county as a qualifier instead of the median farm size.
• Modification of the Joint Financing Direct Farm Ownership Interest Rate to 2 percent less
than regular Direct Farm Ownership rate, with a floor of 2.5 percent. Previously, the rate was
established at 5 percent.
• Increase of the maximum loan amount for Direct Farm Ownership down payments from
$225,000 to $300,000.
• Elimination of rural residency requirement for Youth Loans, allowing urban youth to benefit.
• Debt forgiveness on Youth Loans, which will not prevent borrowers from obtaining
additional loans from the federal government.
• Increase of the guarantee amount on Conservation Loans from 75 to 80 percent and 90
percent for socially disadvantaged borrowers and beginning farmers.
• Microloans will not count toward loan term limits for veterans and beginning farmers.
Additional modifications must be implemented through the rulemaking processes. Visit the
FSA Farm Bill website at http://tinyurl.com/pnm7yew for more information and updates.

Leadership Alert page 4 of 8
GEORGIA CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION 53rd ANNUAL CONVENTION
April 2-5
Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter
Perry
This jam-packed four-day event covers all things beef, including a forage conference led by
UGA’s Dr. Dennis Hancock, Cattlemen’s College seminars on a variety, a livestock marketing
seminar conducted by UGA’s Dr. Curt Lacy; the annual awards banquet; the GCA general
membership meeting; angus, hereford, commercial heifer and club calf sales; the annual
Cattlemen’s Ball; and a new products and junior awards luncheon. Visit
http://www.gabeef.org/gca/annual_convention_and_beef_expo.html for more information or to
register.
USB’S A SOYBEAN’S JOURNEY: SEE FOR YOURSELF PROGRAM
The United Soybean Board (USB) invites soybean farmers to participate in this program, which
provides farmers with the chance to learn about and evaluate specific investment areas of the soy
checkoff, such as international marketing, animal agriculture, industrial uses and soybean
farmers’ freedom to operate. All U.S. soybean farmers over the age of 18 can apply now for the
seventh annual See for Yourself program. To apply, visit the USB website,
http://www.UnitedSoybean.org/SeeforYourself, through April 4. A group of 10 U.S.
soybean farmers will first travel to St. Louis to witness firsthand the operations of the checkoff
and visit local sites related to domestic uses for soybeans. Then, since about half of the soy
produced in the United States is exported, participants will travel internationally to experience
how international customers use soy. The program is scheduled to take place Aug. 15-22 and
USB will cover all related rooming, meal and travel expenses.
2014 FARM BILL EDUCATION MEETINGS
April 4
GA/FLA Tobacco Exchange
9:30 a.m. - noon
Alma
April 7
Cloud Livestock Facility
9:30 a.m. - noon
Bainbridge
April 8
UGA Tifton Conference Center
9:30 a.m. - noon
Tifton
April 10
Burke County Office Park
Noon - 2:30 p.m. Waynesboro
April 11
Captain’s Corner Restaurant
Noon - 2:30 p.m.
Vidalia
April 14
Sumter County Extension Office
9:30 a.m. - noon
Americus
These meetings, sponsored by Georgia Farm Bureau, Farm Credit and the UGA Extension, are
designed specifically for Georgia row-crop producers and landowners. Presentations and
discussions will be led by UGA agricultural economists Don Shurley and Nathan Smith. Topics
include Price Loss Coverage (PLC), Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC), base acreage decision
options, payment yield update decisions, generic base decisions, cotton transition assistance,
marketing loans, the Stacked Income Protection Plan (STAX) for cotton and Supplemental
Coverage Option (SCO). Coffee and biscuits will be served at the morning meetings. Lunch will
be served at the noon meetings. To attend, contact your local county Extension office.
FARM FRESH BEEF & PRODUCE SPRING FLING
April 5
696 Hightower Trail
Ball Ground
Drop by Farm Fresh Beef & Produce from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday to sample the farm’s
famous beef and pork products and homemade chicken & dumplings, beef stew and meatloaf.
Other food products including Amish cheeses, olive oils, jellies and jams, and homemade
strawberry and vanilla bean ice cream from Woodbridge Inn will be available. Kids will be able
to plant seeds and have their faces painted. Dawson County Farm Bureau will have a booth
promoting Farm Bureau member benefits and handing out free popcorn. For more information
call Robin Solomon at 404-732-4315.

Leadership Alert page 5 of 8
AMERICA’S FARMERS GROW RURAL EDUCATION FUND
April 6
Nomination deadline
April 21
School application deadline
Monsanto is accepting nominations from farmers in 33 Georgia counties for grants of up to
$25,000 from Monsanto’s America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education Fund. Eligible counties are
Appling, Baker, Berrien, Bleckley, Brooks, Bulloch, Burke, Calhoun, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook,
Crisp, Decatur, Dooly, Early, Grady, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Lee, Macon, Miller, Mitchell,
Screven, Seminole, Sumter, Tattnall, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Turner, Wilcox and Worth. Visit
http://www.growruraleducation.com and click the “Farmers Nominate Now” button or call 1877-267-3332 to submit a nomination. Complete rules and eligibility requirements are posted on
the website. Once nominated, school districts will be notified and sent an invitation code to apply
for their choice of a $10,000 or $25,000 grant. Charter schools are eligible if their National
Center for Education Statistics is located in an eligible county. Nominations are limited to one
per farmer. Grants promoting math and science will be awarded based on merit, need and
community support, which is based on the number of farmer nominations a school district
receives.
BEEKEEPER’S SCHOOL
April 12
Dawson County Extension
1 p.m.
Dawsonville
This three-hour workshop covers the history of beekeeping, tools and equipment, feeding and
caring for bees and much more. The event is sponsored by the Amicalola Beekeepers
Association. Registration costs $7 for members and $35 for non-members. Fees cover the cost
of a beekeeping book. Visit http://www.amicalolabeekeepers.com/bee_school.htm or call 706364-3660 for more information.
SPECIALTY CROP BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM
April 18
Deadline to apply
The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) is pleased to announce the competitive
solicitation process to award the 2014 Specialty Crop Block Grant. The Specialty Crop Block
Grant Program (SCBGP) funds projects that “enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops.”
Specialty crops are defined as: fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, Christmas
trees, turfgrass/sod, nursery and greenhouse crops, including floriculture. For a listing of all
eligible crops visit www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/scbgp. Please refer to the links available on the
GDA grants webpage located at www.agr.georgia.gov/grants.aspx for the grant application,
guidelines, and additional information. For additional questions please contact Jeanne Maxwell
at Jeanne.Maxwell@agr.georgia.gov or 404-657-1584.
MULTICULTURAL SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE CONFERENCE
April 17
Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Perry
The Upper Ocmulgee River RC&D Council, Inc., in partnership with the USDA-Natural
Resources Conservation Service, will host a conference for multicultural farmers and producers.
Registration fee is $20 per person, which covers the cost of lunch and conference materials.
Topics include muscadine wine production, building a diverse urban farm enterprise, growing
farm profits, pecan and peanut production and many more. For updates on speakers, classes,
agenda and to register, visit http://tinyurl.com/mecjba8. For more information contact the Upper
Ocmulgee River RC&D Council, Inc. at 678-376-9518 or USDA-Natural Resources
Conservation Lawrenceville Service Office at 770-963-9288.

Leadership Alert page 6 of 8
GA. HEIFER EVALUATION AND REPRODUCTIVE DEVELOPMENT (HERD) SALE
April 22
Tifton Bull Evaluation Center
Irwinville
Sale begins at 12:30 p.m. For information contact Dr. Jacob Segers at 229-386-3214 or
jacobs@uga.edu or Patsie T. Cannon at 229-386-3683 or ptcannon@uga.edu.
GEORGIA CATTLEWOMEN’S ASSOCIATION REGION II MEETING
April 25-27
Forrest Hills Mountain Resort & Conference Center
Dahlonega
The Georgia Cattlewomen's Association invites you to three days of fun, fellowship and
educational opportunities! There will be social media training, leadership development, ANCW
business and updates, as well as lots of fun like a Winery/Farm Tour and trail walking. The
registration form can be found at http://www.gabeef.org/gcwa/index.html. For more information
contact Melissa Miller at millerm@uga.edu or 813-928-2437.
NEWTON COUNTY AG DAY ON THE SQUARE
April 26
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Covington
This event, sponsored by the Newton County Farm Bureau Young Farmers, features a modern
and antique tractor show. Peddle tractors for the kids, arts and crafts, live music, food, face
painting and a cow train. A drawing will be held for a Yeti cooler, and those who register tractors
for the tractor show receive a free raffle ticket. For more information contact Crystal Powell at
770-786-7201.
GEORGIA FORESTRY FOUNDATION ARTWORK AND SLOGAN CONTESTS
April 30
Deadline for entries
Georgia students in grades 5 through 12 are invited to participate in a contest to express the value
of Georgia’s sustainable working forests through submission of a creative artwork and slogan.
There are two levels of competition: fifth through eighth and ninth through 12th grades, with one
winner from each level. Each winning entry will be awarded a prize valued up to $35,000, which
includes a $15,000 cash award to the school, $2,500 cash award and forestry camp scholarship to
the student, Project Learning Tree environmental professional development for up to 20 teachers
and an invitation to attend the Georgia Teacher Conservation Workshop for two teachers from
the winning schools, a field trip for students in the grade level of each winning student, and
materials featuring the winning artwork and slogan. For more information on the contest
including submission guidelines, entry form, terms and conditions and other resources for
schools visit http://www.forestry4Rfuture.org or call 478-992-8110.
GEORGIA CENTENNIAL FARM NOMINATION DEADLINE IS MAY 1
The Georgia Centennial Farm Program, which recognizes historic farms and encourages their
preservation, is accepting nominations. To qualify, farms must: be a working farm with a
minimum of 10 acres actively involved in ag production, generate at least $1,000 in annual farm
income and include 10 acres of the original farm purchase. Farms must have been continuously
farmed for at least 100 years. The Centennial Farm Program has recognized 451 Georgia farms
since 1993. The Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources
administers the program in partnership with several organizations including Georgia Farm
Bureau. Visit http://www.georgiacentennialfarms.org to download an application or contact
Charlie Miller, Centennial Farm Awards Committee chairman at 404-651-5287 or by email at
Charlie.miller@dnr.state.ga.usApplications must be postmarked by May 1. Selected farms will
be honored during the Georgia National Fair in October.

Leadership Alert page 7 of 8
MONROE COUNTY HERD SALE
May 3
Sleepy Creek Farm
12:30 p.m.
Forsyth
This sale will feature 85 bred heifers. Data available on the heifers includes A.I. breeding and
sire EPD’s, pelvic area, frame score, disposition score, weight per day of age and average daily
gain. All heifers will sell confirmed safe in calf to calving ease Angus bulls. For more
information contact the Monroe County Extension office by phone at 478-994-7014 or by email
at uge2207@uga.edu.
Information about the sale may also be found online at
http://www.ugaextension.com/monroe
GFB ACCEPTING ENTRIES FOR PHOTO CONTEST
Georgia Farm Bureau is accepting entries for its 5th Annual Picture Agriculture in Georgia
Contest open to any GFB member who receives no income from photography. Cash awards will
be presented in two categories – Farm Bureau Members and Farm Bureau Employees. Prizes for
the member category are: 1st Place - $150; 11 Honorable Mentions - $75 each. The winner of the
member category will be featured on the front of the 2015 GFB Young Farmer Calendar. Prizes
for the employee category are: 1st Place- $100; 2nd Place- $75; 3rd Place- $50. Only digital photos
that are a minimum of 1 megabyte (MB) in file size may be submitted with a limit of two entries
per person. All photos must have been shot in Georgia in 2013 or 2014. Photos altered in any
way will not be judged. All photos become the property of GFB. Digital photos must be sent as
a JPEG file attachment via email to yf@gfb.org by 4:30 p.m. on May 6. If children or people
are included in photos, you must complete a Model Release Entry Form that must be received by
GFB at the time of the deadline. Visit your county Farm Bureau office for contest rules, entry
instructions and the Model Release Form or visit the GFB website at http://www.gfb.org.
2013 YOUNG HARRIS/UGA BEEKEEPING INSTITUTE
May 15-17
Young Harris College
8 a.m. each day
Young Harris
This event offers classes for beekeepers at all levels of experience and the annual honey show.
May 15 is dedicated training and certification exams for journeymen and master beekeeper
qualifications, as well as the Welsh honey judge training, the first licensing program for honey
judges in North America. May 16 and 17 provide training and certification, including individual
and colony biology, low-tech beekeeping, occupational safety and much more. Registration fees
for 18 and older is $120 for May 16, $100 for May 17 and $199 for both days. For ages 11-17,
fees are $59 for May 16, $49 for May 17 and $99 for both days. Two-day registration and
additional fees apply for advanced courses and exams on May 15. Participation is capped at 175
people, and classes generally fill up quickly. For more information, visit
http://www.ent.uga.edu/bees/young-harris/.
NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION WORKSHOP DEADLINE
Rising 10th, 11th and 12th grade students have until May 24 to apply to attend a one-week
residential camp the Georgia Soil & Water Conservation Commission is offering June 8-12 at
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton. Natural resource experts will give lectures,
guide field trips and lead hands-on activities to enhance students’ understanding of Georgia’s
natural resources. More than $18,000 in college scholarships will be awarded during the event.
Tuition is $150 per student but scholarships are available for students who have not previously
attended the event. Visit http://abac.edu/nrcw to download the camp application and more
information. Contact Luke Crosson at lcrosson@gaswcc.org or 229-995-6001 for more
information.

Leadership Alert page 8 of 8
CALHOUN BEEF CATTLE REPRODUCTIVE MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP
May 27
NW Georgia Research & Education Center Livestock Pavilion
Calhoun
Workshop begins at 6 p.m. For information contact Dr. Lawton Stewart at 706-542-1852 or
lawtons@uga.edu or Phil Worley at 706-624-1398 or pworley@uga.edu.
GA. HEIFER EVALUATION AND REPRODUCTIVE DEVELOPMENT (HERD) SALE
Â
May 28
NW Georgia Research & Education Center Livestock Pavilion
Calhoun
Sale begins at 12:30 p.m. For information contact Dr. Lawton Stewart at 706-542-1852 or
lawtons@uga.edu or Phil Worley at 706-624-1398 or pworley@uga.edu.
GFB ACCEPTING ENTRIES FOR YOUNG FARMER CONTESTS
Georgia Farm Bureau is accepting applications for its Young Farmer Achievement Award,
Excellence in Agriculture Award and Discussion Meet. . GFB members between the ages of 1835 may apply for these awards. Applications are available at county Farm Bureau offices
Finalists for each of the competitive events will be named at the GFB Young Farmer Leadership
Conference to be held July 10-13 on Jekyll Island. Applications for each contest and the
leadership conference will be accepted through May 30 at 4:30 p.m. The preliminary rounds
of the discussion meet will be held at the leadership conference. For more information on these
awards or the conference, please visit http://www.gfb.org/yf or stop by your county Farm
Bureau. The GFB Achievement Award will recognize an outstanding young farmer or couple
whose primary income is derived from farming. The GFB Excellence in Agriculture Award will
recognize an outstanding individual or couple whose primary income is not derived from
farming. Extension agents, FFA advisors and ag lenders are examples of individuals who may
apply for this award. The GFB Discussion Meet is a competitive event designed to simulate a
committee meeting where young farmers discuss topics relevant to agriculture today and explore
solutions to issues facing them as agriculturalists. The state winner of each award will be
announced during the GFB convention in December. The winner of each contest will compete on
the national level at the American Farm Bureau Convention in San Diego, Calif., Jan. 11-13,
2015. Details on state and national prizes will be available at a later date.
UGA CAES ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR TRANSFER SCHOLARSHIPS
June 1
Deadline for submitting applications
The CAES Alumni Association awards two non-renewable scholarships to the most outstanding
transfer students from two- and four-year colleges who will be enrolling full-time at The
University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Selection is based on
the student's ability to make significant contributions to the academic and co-curricular campus
environment.
Application
forms
may
be
accessed
at http://www.caes.uga.edu/alumni/caa/scholarships.html#awards.